Task Force Members Needed: The Impact and Opportunities Related to AI and Community Building
ACUI is seeking members interested in taking part in an AI Task Force that will be asked to examine the impact of artificial intelligence on community building in higher education. The group will also identify opportunities for its responsible and positive community building use in college unions.
“AI is rapidly transforming institutions worldwide. Its influence is reshaping education, media and journalism, commerce, and civic life,” said ACUI President Ian Crone. “In higher education, AI is altering how students learn, engage with information, and form connections with one another. Increasingly, students are using AI not only as a learning and productivity tool, but in some cases as a substitute for human interaction.”
ACUI CEO John Taylor added that the developments have significant implications for the work of community building on college campuses and for the professionals who support student engagement in college unions and student activities.
“As AI tools continue to evolve, they will both enhance and disrupt traditional approaches to fostering learning, belonging, and community,” Taylor said. “In anticipation of the disruptive capacity of AI, ACUI is creating the task force to research the impact and opportunities related to AI and community building on college campuses and develop recommendations for our profession to harness this tool toward positive ends.”
This short-term volunteer positions requires a commitment of eight months. Over the course of the term, volunteers should anticipate approximately four to six hours of conference call and project work per month.
The Task Force will be asked to develop a report for the ACUI Board of Trustees by November 15, 2026, that includes:
- A broad assessment of potential future opportunities and risks associated with AI for college unions.
- An analysis of how AI is currently impacting student engagement and community building on campuses across the Association. These impacts should include engagement outside the classroom, including engagement related to student organizations, event planning and implementation, leisure time, individual connection and meaning making, etc.
- Practical strategies and actionable recommendations that student union professionals can implement to ensure AI is used to advance the role of the college union on member campuses.
- Guidance on how college unions can leverage AI to promote positive impacts and efficiencies related to our work in facility management, auxiliary services and student engagement.
- Considerations for how AI is impacting discourse and polarization on campuses and recommendations for how college union professionals can employ AI to promote positive communication and civil discourse.
- Recommendations for union professionals concerning necessary policy adaptations resulting from AI related to Union related codes of conduct, student organization and funding policies, event and facility related policies, etc.
- Considerations for how AI is impacting student development and inclusive communities related to student unions.
Learn more and apply for this role, as well as other open volunteer positions, at acui.org/volunteer.
